Endoscopic forceps



Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNITED STATES Farrar orricE 11 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to surgical instruments, and hasparticular reference to endoscopic forceps.

It is a general object of my invention to provide certain improvementsin an endoscopic foru ceps of the general character illustrated anddescribed in my earlier Patent Number 2,034,785, issued March 24, 1936.

'Ihe invention relates generally to a forceps comprising a conduit, jawsat the forward end of the conduit, a control rod in the conduit forcontrolling the operation of the jaws, and a control handle at the rearof the conduit. For reasons adequately expressed in the aforementionedpatent, it is highly desirable to provide a means for permittingcomplete removal of the control handle.

In the aforementioned patent, the handle is associated with the forcepsin a manner which permits it to be applied to, and removed from, theforceps in a longitudinal direction over the rear end of the conduit androd. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedconstruction which permits the handle to be applied and removed in alateral direction, i. e., without requiring that any portion of thehandle be moved endwise over the rear end of the conduit or rod. n

A characterizing feature of the present invention lies in the provisionof a saddle in rigid association with one of two relatively movablehandle grips, the saddle being removably applicable in a lateraldirection to the rear of the conduit. Means are provided forinterengaging the conduit with the saddle so as to prevent longitudinalmovement of the conduit with respect to the saddle; and means are alsoprovided for separably interengaging the other handle grip with the rearend of the rod.

In a preferred construction, the saddle is provided with a hinged coverwhich is adapted snugly to enclose the portions of the instrumentaccommodated within the saddle. Also, it is preferable to construct thesaddle in such a way that its rear portion serves as a bearing for therear portion of the rod.

Another feature of my invention lies in the provision of a controlhandle in the form of two pivoted scissors handles extending laterallyaway from the forceps. The use of this type of handle is, in manyrespects, advantageous and desirable; and it is a specific feature of myinvention to construct an instrument in which this type of scissorshandle is completely removable from a forceps of the charactermentioned.

(Cl. 12S- 321) Other objects and features of the invention lie in themanner of construction and assembly of parts whereby a compact,eiiicient, workmanlike, and entirely practical instrument is provided.

I achieve the foregoing features and objects, 5 and such other featuresand objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the mannerillustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein-- Figurel is a perspective view of a forceps con- `10 structed in accordancewith my present invention, showing the present improved handle appliedthereto;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary exploded view showing the handle removed fromthe instrument;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-section, with parts brokenaway for the sake of compactness, with the handle in position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 4 4 of Fig- .20 ure 3; and

Figure 5 is a side view of a slightly modied instrument, with the handlein position. j

In Figures 1-4, I have shown a flexible conduit IIJ provided at itsforward end with the jaws II. 25 One of these jaws (the lower one inFigure 3) has been illustratively shown as a xed and rigid portion ofthe conduit I; while the other jaw is pivoted thereto at the point I2 topermit the latter jaw to be opened, as indicated in dot-and- 30 dashlines in Figure 3. The rear end of the movable jaw II is articulated tothe forward end of a control rod I4 which extends through the conduitIll. The rod I4 extends out of the rear end of the conduit and,preferably, terminates in an .35 enlargement I3 and a rear knob-likeportion 30. For a purpose presently to be described, the portion I6 isprovided with the annular recess 3|, thereby defining a rearwardlydisposed shoulder 32.

Around the rod I4, between the enlargement I6 and the rear of theconduit, is a compression coil spring I'I which serves as a resilientmeans to maintain the rod in a rearward or retracted position. In theillustrated embodiment, this re- 45 tracted position of the rodmaintains the jaws I I in closed relationship.

Just forwardly of the rear end of the conduit, the latter is providedwith an annular recess 33 which defines a forwardly disposed shoulder34. 50 Preferably, in front of the recess 33 the conduit has anenlargement 35.

The control handle of the present device consists essentially of thescissors handles 36 and 3'I pivoted, as at 38, and provided,respectively, with 55 the grips I9 and 20 adapted to receive theforenger and thumb of an operators hand.

In accordance with my invention, the handle 3l is provided at its freeend with a portion 39, preferably in the form of a yoke, adaptedremovably to engage with the recess 3| of the rod I4, as indicated mostclearly in Figures 1 and 3. When the instrument is used, a spreading ofthe grips I9 and 20 results in pushing the portion 39 against theshoulder 32, thereby effecting a forward movement of the control rodiThe present invention is characterized by the provision, on the free endof the handle 36, of an elongated saddle 40 having a hinged cover 4 I.The saddle 40 is preferably semi-circular in crosssection, and the cover4I is similarly configured so that when the two parts are in closedrelationship, as shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, and 5, a substantiallytubular construction results. The saddle 4t is adapted to receive andaccommodate the rear portion of the conduit Ill; also the spring Il andthe forward portion of the enlargement i6 of the control rod. Thus, asshown in Figure 3, the saddle has a medial portion accommodating thespring I1 and a rear end portion serving as a bearing for the rear endportion of the control rod.

The saddle 40 is provided with means, preferably in the form of asemi-circular rib 42, adapted to engage snugly within the recess 33.This interengagement of recess and rib secures the conduit againstlongitudinal movement relative to the saddle. The forward end of thesaddle preferably abuts against the enlargement 35 when the handles areapplied, this abutment serving to facilitate the application of thesaddle 'to 'the conduit in proper relationship.

The cover 4I is preferably provided with the springy or yieldable lip 43having the hand grip portion 44; and the saddle 40 is preferablyprovided with an upstanding tongue 45 around which the lip 43 engageswhen the cover 4I is closed. The yieldability of the lip 43 serves topermit the cover to be snapped into closed position, and frictionallyretained in that relationship. To open the cover 4I, a slight upwardpressure on the handle 44 is required, whereupon the cover snaps intothe open position shown in Figure 2. The saddle lill and the cover 4Imay be said to forni parts of a longitudinally split tube or bearing.

When the device is used, the handle is first applied as indicated inFigure 1, and the forceps and handle thus form a unitary structure whichmay be grasped by an operator, permitting him to adjust the grips I9 and20. By spreading these grips, a rearward force is applied to theshoulder 34 by means of the rib 42; and a forward force is applied tothe shoulder 32 by means of the portion 3S. As a result, the control rodI4 is longitudinally advanced relative to the conduit i 0, therebyopening the jaws I I. When the grips I9 and 20 are permitted to resumetheir normal position, the tension of the spring I? urges the rod I4rearwardly into its normal position, at which time the jaws I I tend toremain closed.

In using the present instrument, it is customary to insert it through anendoscopic sheath, the jaws l! being projected through a fenestra at theforward end of the sheath and maneuvered into proper relationship to astone or the like which is to be grasped. The actual engagement of thestone is then accomplished by opening the jaws and releasing thepressure upon the grips I9 and 20, whereupon the jaws remain inengagement with the stone quite independently of the control handle. Thecover 4I is then opened, whereby the entire control handle may bewithdrawn laterally from the forceps, as indicated in Figure 2. It isthen a relatively simple matter to withdraw the entire endoscopic sheathrearwardly over the forceps, so that ultimately there is nothing left inthe body cavity except the forceps, with the jaws at the forward end -infirm engagement with the stone.

The final procedure, in withdrawing a stone or the like, is simply tograsp the enlargement I6 or the knob 3U and withdraw the forceps bodilyfrom the body cavity. During this procedure, the maximum space andstretchability of the body cavity is available for the passage of thejaws II and the stone engaged thereby.

In Figure 5, the same handle is employed, and the rear portions of thecontrol rod and conduit are the same as in Figures 1 4. The samereferences are, therefore, applied to the corresponding parts. Theconstruction in Figure 5 differs from Figure 1, however, in the respectthat the conduit I0 is entirely rigid, rather than flexible, and thatboth jaws II are relatively movable with respect to the conduit.Specically, these jaws are pivoted together, and also to the forward endof the conduit, at the point I2; and the rear ends of the jaws arearticulated by links I3 to the forward end of the control rod I4. Thecontrol rod in this case need not necessarily be flexible.

As in the rst embodiment, the spring Il or equivalent resilient meansnormally urges the control rod rearwardly and thereby urges the jawsinto closed relationship, an advancement of the control rod serving tospread the jaws I I It will be understood that the invention is notrestricted to the specific type of jaws herein illustrated; nor need thecontrol handle necessarily conform to the specic type herein illustratedand described. The characterizing feature of the invention lies in thecomplete removability of the control handle from the rear end of theforceps, without impairing the firmness with which the jaws engage abody, the association of the handle with the forceps being accomplishedby means of a saddle applicable in a lateral direction to the rear ofthe device.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of myinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In endoscopic forceps, a conduit, jaws at the forward end, a rodwithin the conduit for controlling the operation of the jaws, resilientmeans for normally retaining said rod in jaw-closing position, a controlhandle comprising relatively movable grips adapted to actuate said rodinto jaw-opening position, and means permitting cemplete lateral removalof the handle, said means comprising a saddle carried by one of thegrips and removably applicable in a lateral direction to the conduit.

2. In endoscopic forceps, a conduit, jaws at the forward end, a rodwithin the conduit for controlling the operation of the jaws, resilientmeans for normally retaining said rod in jaw-closing position, a controlhandle comprising relatively movable grips adapted to actuate said rodinto jaw-opening position, and means permitting complete lateral removalof the handle, said means comprising a saddle carried by one of thegrips and removably applicable in a lateral direction to the conduit,and means securing the conduit against longitudinal movement in saidsaddle.

3. In endoscopic forceps, the combination set forth in claim 2, saidlast-named means comprising interengaging shoulders on said conduit andsaddle.

4. In endoscopic forceps, the combination set forth in claim 2, saidlast-named means comprising an annular recess in the conduit and acomplementary annular rib on said saddle.

5. In endoscopic forceps, a conduit, jaws at the forward end, a rodwithin the conduit for controlling the operation of the jaws, resilientmeans for normally retaining said rod in jaw-closing position, a controlhandlecomprising relatively movable grips adapted to actuate said rodinto jaw-opening position, and means permitting complete lateral removalof the handle, said means comprising a saddle carried by one of thegrips and removably applicable in a lateral direction to the conduit,and means separably interengaging the other grip with said rod.

6. In endoscopic forceps, the combination set forth in claim 5, saidlast-named means cornprising a shoulder on said rod and a grip portionengageable with said shoulder. 7. In endoscopic forceps, the combinationset forth in claim 5, said last-named means comprising an annular recesson Said rod and a yoke carried by the grip and engageable with saidrecess.

8. In endoscopic forceps, the combination with the elements set forth inclaim l, of a cover hinged to the saddle and adapted to enclose theconduit portion accommodated in said saddle.

9. In endoscopic forceps, a conduit, jaws at the forward end, a rodwithin the conduit for controlling the operation of the jaws, resilientmeans for normally retaining said rod in jawclosing position, a pair ofpivoted scissors handles adapted to actuate said rod into jaw-openingposition, said handles extending laterally from the rear end portion ofthe forceps, and means permitting complete lateral removal of thehandles, said means comprising a saddle rigidly secured to one of thehandles and removably applicable in a lateral direction to the conduit,and means carried by the other handle and adapted releasably to engagethe rear end portion of the rod.

l0. In endoscopic forceps, a conduit, jaws at the forward end, a rodmounted for longitudinal reciprocation within the conduit forcontrolling the operation of the jaws, Va spring between the rear end ofthe conduit and the rear end of the rod for normally retaining said rodin jaw-closing position, a control handle comprising relatively movablegrips adapted to actuate said rod into jaw-opening position, and meansfor removably securing said handle to the forceps, comprising a saddlecarried by one of the grips and removably applicable in a lateraldirection to the rear end of the conduit, said saddle having a medialportion adapted to accommodate said spring and a rear portion serving asa bearing for the rear end of the rod.

11. In endoscopic forceps, a conduit, jaws at the forward end, a rodmounted for longitudinal reciprocation within the conduit forcontrolling the operation of the jaws, a spring between the rear end ofthe conduit and the rear end of the rod for normally retaining said rodin jaw-closing position, a control handle comprising relatively movablegrips adapted to actuate said rod into jaw-opening position, and meansfor removably securing said handle to the forceps, comprising a saddlecarried by one of the grips and removably applicable in a lateraldirection to the rear end of the conduit, said saddle having a medialportion adapted to accommodate said spring and a rear portion serving asa bearing for the rear end of the rod, said rod having a shoulder, andthe other grip having a portion removably engageable with said shoulderwhen the saddle is applied.

FREDERICK CHARLES WAPPLER.

